UK PROPERTY MARKET DEFIES EXPECTATIONS WITH APRIL PRICE INCREASE
Dacre Son and Hartley created on 27th April 2026
The average price of homes being advertised for sale has risen by 0.8% during April to £373,971, which is only slightly below the long-term average of 1.2% for April, despite the uncertainty caused by the war in Iran.
The latest data from property search giant, Rightmove shows that across Britain the average price of a property coming to the market for sale rose by £2,929 in the past month.
Yorkshire and Humberside also outperformed the national market, with prices rising by 1.3%, which means the average price of a property in the region is now £258,812.
However, the data also shows that mortgage costs are edging up, with the average two‑year fixed rate rising to 5.42%, from 4.25% before the start of the war in Iran. In addition, buyer demand in April to date is 7% down compared to the same period in 2025, although that was deemed to be a particularly strong market as buyers raced to complete home purchases before stamp duty rose.
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Yorkshire estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: “So far, the housing market in Yorkshire has enjoyed a positive start to the year, with a noticeable upturn in demand following the fiscal uncertainties we endured during the final six months of 2025.
“Clearly the Middle East conflict, and its associated economic pressures, has raised concerns, but we believe there is strong underlying demand and we’re currently seeing good volumes of post-Easter stock launching to the market. This will certainly encourage interest and already our sales are around 17% higher than this time last year.”
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “With mortgage rates remaining elevated due to the war in Iran, it’s not a surprise that price growth is proving strongest in parts of the market less exposed to higher borrowing costs. Across Great Britain, Scotland stands out as an example of resilience, with average prices rising by over 4%.
“Lower average asking prices and a faster home-buying process continue to support price growth in the Scottish market. However, for most of the market, the combination of rising mortgage rates and the number of homes for sale being at its highest level for the time of year over a decade, means that competitive pricing is crucial for sellers looking to attract buyer interest and secure a sale this spring.
“Some buyers will be feeling cautious due to cost of living and mortgage rate increases. However, the latest data shows that, at least for now, home-movers are largely showing their usual resilience with their housing needs trumping other events. While higher mortgage rates negatively affect affordability, many buyers are also benefiting from rising wages, lower house prices and more flexible borrowing criteria than in recent years, which all help affordability.”
Dacre, Son & Hartley was founded more than 200 years ago and is Yorkshire’s largest independent estate agent with 17 offices across North and West Yorkshire, and is the parent company of rural property specialist Lister Haigh.
Looking to Sell or Let?
Begin your journey with a free property valuation. Get the facts and figures to make informed decisions.
Property Valuation
"*" indicates required fields
Got a question?
Want to discuss something more specific? Contact us, and we will be more than happy to help you.
One of Yorkshire’s most established estate agents, we’ve been providing expert residential sales and lettings services for over 200 years. Our property advice is built on sound local knowledge and our outstanding professional team, complimented and enhanced by cutting-edge technology. We pride ourselves on delivering personalised, reliable service across our network of 18 Yorkshire offices.
